A Lifetime of Impact: Lex Barnett Awarded the W.E. Bold Medal
25 Nov 2025
We are immensely proud to share that our Practice Fellow, Lex Barnett, has been awarded the prestigious W.E. Bold Memorial Medal at the 2025 PIA Awards for Planning Excellence.
The W.E. Bold Medal recognises an eminent town planner whose career reflects the vision and values of William Bold — a commitment to planning that improves life and living, strengthens communities, and shapes the long-term future of Western Australia.
For more than 40 years, Lex has done exactly that. His influence spans local government, private practice, major city-shaping projects, regional strategies, and decades of leadership within the planning profession.
A career defined by integrity, service and vision
Lex’s contribution to planning in Western Australia cannot be captured in a single project — but in the consistent way he has worked: with integrity, curiosity, pragmatism, and a genuine commitment to people and place.
Since joining TBB in 1996 during a pivotal moment in our history, Lex helped rebuild and stabilise the practice, becoming a Partner in 1997 and serving as Managing Director for 27 years. His leadership guided TBB through major economic cycles, nurtured generations of planners, and strengthened our culture of mentorship, collaboration and technical excellence.
His project legacy includes some of the state’s most influential planning undertakings — Port Coogee, Ocean Reef Marina, Yanchep City, Golden Gateway, regional work across WA — all of which have had a lasting impact on how communities grow, connect and thrive.
A respected voice in the profession
As a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and former PIA WA State President (2018–2020), Lex has shaped policy debate, championed good planning outcomes, and contributed deeply to the development of future planners through his long-standing involvement in university advisory programs and national sustainability initiatives.
His peers describe him as measured, unflappable, insightful, and a mentor who “empowers independence while setting high standards” — qualities that align closely with William Bold’s legacy.
From our Managing Director, Samantha Thompson
Lex has been a steady, inspiring presence at the heart of our profession for decades. His leadership — within TBB and across the wider planning community — has always been grounded in integrity, respect and a belief in the power of planning to improve people’s lives.
What stands out most is his investment in others.
Lex brings clarity, generosity and encouragement in a way that builds confidence in everyone around him. His legacy is seen not only in the places he has helped shape, but in the planners he has mentored along the way.
From Lex Barnett
I am deeply honoured and humbled. I love and respect this profession and to be recognised in this way means a lot to me. All planners out there, regardless of who you are working for, should feel privileged to be a part of a profession that is all about making places for people to live - and hopefully prosper – not just for the voting constituents and the ratepayers of today but also for tomorrows communities and for the many generations to come.
We need bold foresight, the strength to stand up for what is right and the courage to call out what is not right, and I am proud to have been able to make a contribution to this pursuit over the years.
And while an award like this tends to focus on the achievements of an individual, it is often the case that it is actually a team effort that makes those achievements possible, and while I have been belsses to be in a business full of smart and talented people, my personal team has been my long suffering life partner. Sue and I have been together for our entire adult lives and over that time she has sacrificed a lot, endured a lot, so that I could pursue my goals. I know I could not have done what I have done without her.
A well-deserved honour
Lex represents the very best of our profession — a planner who leads with heart, thinks with clarity, and cares deeply about the communities we serve.
We’re honoured to celebrate this extraordinary achievement with him, and grateful for the legacy he continues to shape at TBB and across Western Australia.
Congratulations, Lex — and thank you for everything you continue to contribute to planning in our state.
Sue and Lex Barnett
Lex accepting the W.E. Bold Medal
With the TBB Team